Indian-American Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, on Friday said the Trump administration is taking a new, tougher approach towards China in an effort to deter North Korean aggression.

Haley was speaking to Fox News Channel on Friday as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is on his first trip to the Asia region. She said the US has taken a "soft" stance towards China, but the new administration now plans to "go harder" and make China prove they're serious about deterring North Korea.

"Don't just tell us you do. Prove it. It's gotta be real proof," said Haley, calling on Beijing to push for more sanctions and renewed negotiations.

She said North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is conducting increased missile tests and is suspected to have ordered the assassination of his estranged half-brother at a Malaysian airport.

"These are problems. It shows they are not listening and that nothing has worked," said Haley.

Speaking from the Korean Demilitarised Zone, Tillerson told Fox News that "nothing has been taken off the table" when it comes to dealing with the rogue regime.

"We are exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. All options are on the table," he said.

President Donald Trump also took to Twitter on Friday and accused North Korea of "behaving very badly" and "playing" the US for years.

"China has done little to help!" Trump also said in a tweet from his personal account.

Meanwhile, Tillerson is due to visit Beijing on Saturday and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)